De Kock, Rabada continue to surge in Test rankings

South Africa wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock and pace bowler Kagiso Rabada have continued to move up the ICC Test rankings post their impressive performances in the second Test at the Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Tuesday which helped their side take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against Australia.

De Kock and Rabada, both stars of past ICC U19 Cricket World Cups, have achieved career-best rankings after having already broken into the top-20 following fine performances in the opening Test in Perth.

De Kock top-scored in the Hobart Test with a knock of 104 to move up eight places to 12th position in the latest ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen while Rabada has jumped four places to take 16th slot for Test Bowlers.

Rabada grabbed five wickets in the match, including four for 34 in the second innings.

Both de Kock and Rabada are still in the qualification period, which means they have a good chance of making more gains in the day-night Test in Adelaide, which starts on November 24.

Meanwhile, Kyle Abbott, who was adjudged Man of the Match after taking 6-77 in the second innings to go with the match figures of 9-118, has moved up 20 places taking him to a career-best 36th position.

In the Test Team Rankings, the Faf Du Plessis-led side is now eyeing fourth position after taking a 2-0 lead. To make this happen, it will have to win the day/night Test which starts in Adelaide next Thursday.

In this scenario, South Africa will jump from 96 points to 105 points in fourth position, while Australia will slip from 108 points to 102 points to take fifth position.

Australia will further slip to fifth if they fail to stop South Africa from completing series whitewash in the third and final Test starting November 24.